Blepharis capensis flowers

Image information

Description

Looking closely at the flower of Blepharis capensis, two small, lateral lobes are visible halfway to the base of the corolla in addition to the three conspicuous lobes at the tip. The central, notched lobe is longer than the two more or less rounded ones flanking it.

Colour variations may be observed in the veins spreading from the corolla base along the white surfaces. Faint secondary veins are visible near the corolla tip where the main veins fade and branch. Narrow brown buds lie on the upper leaves, still to develop into corollas.

Some hefty terminal and lateral spines are visible on the leaf margins. It will be a very hungry browser that grabs a mouthful here. Maybe the lack of palatability of the plant relates to its spiny defences and not to leaf taste (Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2010; iSpot).